Social Media in Social Causes

LAKSHMIon September 21, 2016

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The role of social media in socialization and commercial ventures is well-known. Less obvious is the role played by social media in social causes. Apart from being a platform to spread information about social causes, social media applications have been used to play an active part in enabling social service activities. At a personal level, social media plays an important role in helping us communicate with others during times of joy and grief. It helps bring people across continents closer together, in effect heralding the era of the Global Village.

More than half of digitally active, cause-savvy American adults engage with causes promoted by social media beyond merely clicking the “like” icon.

68% donate money, 52% donate personal items or food, 43% attend or participate in an event and 53 % volunteer in social media-enabled social causes.

Connectivity and contagion are the aspects of social networking that increase support for social causes.

Social networks are also powerful tools to identify opportunities for social care and cause.

GreenITers is an online community, based in Tokyo, that includes people from over seventy countries who aim to use the power of technology and social networks to take on environmental and social challenges.

90% of Americans are more likely to trust and stay loyal to companies that actively try to make a difference in society.

The power of a group of individuals and their network over social causes cannot be underestimated. Social media and technology, by their pervasiveness and capability of linking the world beyond borders, can effectively bring about constructive change to the world, be it on a worldwide scale or by assisting a single individual in need. The process of social cause is changing, and social media and technology are undoubtedly helping to change the rules.